Bit insert for a drill bit

Abstract

A drill bit includes a bit insert. A bit body of the bit includes an insert cavity. The bit insert is inserted into the insert cavity. The bit insert is secured to the insert cavity, such as by braze or with a connection mechanism. The bit insert may be replaceable, thereby allowing a drilling operator to adjust the configuration of the bit based on which bit insert is used.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bit, comprising:
 a bit body including:
 a bore; and 
 an insert cavity hydraulically connected to the bore, 
 a plurality of blades connected to the bit body, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades includes a plurality of blade cutting elements; 
 
 a bit insert formed from a material that is less resilient than that of the bit body, the bit insert including:
 an insert body, wherein the insert body comprises a plurality of hydraulic paths connected to a plurality of openings; and 
 an insert shaft connected to the insert body, wherein the insert body is inserted into the insert cavity, wherein the insert shaft extends to and is hydraulically connected with the bore, and wherein the bit insert is configured to be removable from the insert cavity; and 
 an insert cutting element connected to the bit insert in a cone region of the bit body. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The bit of  claim 1 , wherein the bit insert is rotationally fixed in the insert cavity. 
     
     
       3. The bit of  claim 1 , wherein the bit insert is located at a rotational axis of the bit body. 
     
     
       4. The bit of  claim 1 , wherein the bit insert includes an interlocking connection with the insert cavity. 
     
     
       5. The bit of  claim 4 , wherein the interlocking connection includes a threaded connection between the bit insert and the bit body. 
     
     
       6. The bit of  claim 1 , wherein the bit insert is brazed to the insert cavity. 
     
     
       7. The bit of  claim 1 , wherein the bit insert includes a nozzle hydraulically connected to the bore. 
     
     
       8. The bit of  claim 1 , wherein the insert body includes an insert shoulder, the insert shoulder engaging a seat within the insert cavity. 
     
     
       9. The bit of  claim 1 , wherein the bit insert defines the insert cavity, and wherein the insert cavity includes internal threads, and further comprising an attachment mechanism threaded into the internal threads of the insert cavity to secure the bit insert to the bit body. 
     
     
       10. The bit of  claim 1 , wherein the insert cutting element includes a plurality of cutting elements. 
     
     
       11. The bit of  claim 1 , wherein the insert cutting element is offset from a rotational axis of the bit body. 
     
     
       12. A kit for a bit, comprising:
 a bit body, comprising:
 an insert cavity; 
 a bore hydraulically connected to the insert cavity; and 
 a plurality of blades extending from the bit body, each blade of the plurality of blades including a plurality of blade cutting elements; and 
 
 a plurality of bit inserts, each bit insert of the plurality of bit inserts formed from a material that is less resilient than that of the bit body, the bit insert including;
 an insert body; 
 a plurality of hydraulic paths connected to a plurality of openings; and 
 an insert shaft connected to the insert body, wherein each of the plurality of bit inserts are configured to be inserted into and fixed to the insert cavity such that the insert shaft extends to and is hydraulically connected to the bore, each bit insert including an insert cutting element connected to the bit insert. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The kit of  claim 12 , wherein each bit insert of the plurality of bit inserts includes a different arrangement of the insert cutting element. 
     
     
       14. The kit of  claim 12 , wherein each bit insert of the plurality of bit inserts has a different exposure. 
     
     
       15. The kit of  claim 12 , wherein each bit insert has the same shape to fit in the insert cavity. 
     
     
       16. A method for manufacturing a bit, comprising:
 preparing a bit body, the bit body defining an insert cavity hydraulically connected to a bore of the bit body, the insert cavity located in a cone region of the bit body, the insert cavity having a cavity profile; 
 preparing a bit insert, the bit insert formed from a material that is less resilient than that of the bit body, the bit insert including an insert profile, the insert profile complementary to the cavity profile, wherein the bit insert has an insert body and a plurality of hydraulic paths connected to a plurality of openings and an insert shaft connected to the insert body, wherein the bit insert further includes an insert cutting element; 
 inserting the bit insert into the insert cavity such that the insert shaft extends to the bore, and wherein each of the plurality of hydraulic paths are hydraulically connected with the bore; and 
 securing the bit insert to the insert cavity. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein preparing the bit insert includes additively manufacturing the bit insert. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein securing the bit insert to the insert cavity includes brazing the bit insert to the insert cavity. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , wherein securing the bit insert to the insert cavity includes threading a connection mechanism into the bit insert.